ST. LOUIS (AP) – Dexter Fowler hit a grand slam and drove in a career-high five runs to lead the St. Louis Cardinals to an 8-6 victory over the Kansas City Royals on Thursday night. St. Louis tied a season-high with its sixth straight win. Kansas City has lost four in a row and six of seven.

PAPILLION, Neb. (AP) – The Kansas City Royals will play the Omaha Storm Chasers in an exhibition next March to kick off the 50th year of the Royals having their top farm club in the Omaha area. The Storm Chasers announced Thursday that the game is March 26 at Werner Park.

COLUMBIA, Mo. (AP) – Barry Odom was as prepared as a rookie head coach could be when he took over the Missouri football team following the 2015 season. Odom and the Tigers hit a lot of potholes on their way to a 4-8 record last season. There are higher hopes this year. Missouri opens the season Sept. 2 against Missouri State.

MANHATTAN, Kan. (AP) – Bill Snyder is back on the sideline and Jesse Ertz is back under center for Kansas State, and that could be a winning combination. The longtime coach has had plenty of success with veteran quarterbacks, and Ertz led the Wildcats to a nine-win campaign last season. Kansas State opens its season Sept. 2 against Central Arkansas.